SOMONAUK - C.W. Dickey, 81, of Somonauk, formerly of Mendota, passed away Feb. 26, 2021 at Northwestern Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

C.W., better know as “Bill,” was born April 6, 1939 in Oak Brook to Earl and Veronica (Drager) Dickey. He married Brenda Burley on May 6, 1961.

Survivors include his wife of Somonauk; one son, William “Bill” (Lori) Dickey of Apache Junction, Ariz.; one daughter, Paula (Lari) Gibson of Oswego; one brother, Michael Dickey of Mendota; a special sister-in-law, Cora Larsen of Flossmoor; grandchildren, including Nevada (Brian) Toner, Trent (Sarah) Gibson, Morgan (Mike) LeCuyer and Noah Dickey; 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and a brother, Tom.

Bill graduated from Mendota High School in 1957, where he enjoyed playing football and track. He joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and was stationed in Verdun, France for two years and played football. In 1962, he was called back to duty for the Berlin Crisis. He and Brenda lived most of their married life in Oswego. Bill started his first ride rental business, Dickey & Dickey Rides, in 1963 followed by two other ride rental businesses, Illinois Entertainment & Attractions (IEA) and B&G Amusements. He was also the owner of a rental store in Las Vegas, Nev. from 1981-1989.

Memorials may be directed to Mendota Area Senior Services, Mendota VFW Post 4079 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.